Image processor allowing shooting at close range

ABSTRACT

An image processor includes a zoom lens for performing optical zooming by moving in a first range, an imaging unit for converting an object image obtained via a zoom lens into an image signal, and an electronic zooming unit for performing an electronic zooming operation on the image signal. The electronic zooming unit performs the electronic zooming operation as a result of moving the zoom lens into a second range when the zoom lens is in the first range and outside the second range.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application, filed under 35 CFR1.53(b), of prior parent application Ser. No. 11/037,740, filed on Jan.18, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated by referenceherein. Moreover, this continuation application further claims thebenefit of foreign priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2004-020405 filed Jan. 28, 2004 and Japanese Patent Application No.2004-015783 filed Jan. 23, 2004, which are both hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image processor for performing animaging operation on an image and a method for processing an image.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hitherto, an image processor of, for example, an electronic camera forrecording and reproducing a static image or a dynamic image by using amemory card having a solid-state memory element as a recording mediumhas already been commercially available. In addition, an electroniccamera, such as a digital camera/digital video, provided with a macromode for close-up shooting of an object has also been commerciallyavailable.

In such electronic cameras, when an object that is situated closer thana predetermined distance is brought into focus by a mounted shootinglens, vignetting occurs depending upon the type of shooting lens. Thismeans that light no longer enters a peripheral portion of the lens.Therefore, the shortest shooting distance is usually set at a distancewhere vignetting does not occur.

Related image processors of such related electronic cameras have aproblem in that shooting of an object can be performed only up to adistance at which vignetting does not occur. Therefore, such relatedimage processors of, for example, electronic cameras are not capable ofmeeting the demand for shooting an object at a distance that is closerthan the distance at which vignetting occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of the abovesituation, and to make it possible for a user to easily view a zoomingstate.

In one aspect of the present invention, an image processor includes azoom lens configured to obtain an object image by performing opticalzooming, the zoom lens being movable within a first range, an imagingunit for converting the object image obtained via the zoom lens into animage signal, an electronic zooming unit for performing an electroniczooming operation on the image signal, and a controlling unit, in a casewhere the zoom lens is outside a second range narrower than the firstrange, moving the zoom lens so as to be in the second range andcontrolling the electronic zooming unit to perform the electroniczooming operation.

In another aspect, a method for processing an image includes an opticalzooming step of moving a zoom lens in a first range in order to obtainan object image; an imaging step of converting the object image obtainedin the optical zooming step into an image signal; and a controlling stepof performing an electronic zooming operation on the image signal bymoving the zoom lens into a second range narrower than the first rangein a case where the zoom lens is outside the second range.

In yet another aspect, an imaging method provided with a first mode inwhich lens driving is capable of being carried out in a first range anda second mode in which the lens driving is capable of being carried outin a second range that is narrower than the first range, includes anobtaining step of obtaining an object image with a zoom lens; an imagingstep of converting the object image obtained in the obtaining step intoan image signal; an electronic zooming step of performing electroniczooming on the image signal; a first displaying step of displaying animage that has been subjected to the electronic zooming in theelectronic zooming step; and a controlling step of performing, in a casewhere the zoom lens is outside the second range and the second mode isset, a controlling operation so that the zoom lens is moved into thesecond range and an image is enlarged by the electronic zooming in theelectronic zooming step in order to display the enlarged image in thefirst displaying step.

In yet still another aspect, an imaging device provided with a firstmode in which lens driving is capable of being carried out in a firstrange and a second mode in which the lens driving is capable of beingcarried out in a second range that is narrower than the first range,includes a zoom lens configured to obtain an object image; an imagingunit for converting the object image obtained via the zoom lens into animage signal; an electronic zooming unit for performing an electroniczooming operation on the image signal; a first displaying unit fordisplaying an image subjected to the electronic zooming operation by theelectronic zooming unit; and a controlling unit, in a case where thezoom lens is outside the second range and the second mode is set,controlling the zoom lens to move into the second range and controllingthe electronic zooming unit to enlarge an image in order to display theenlarged image on the first displaying unit.

In yet still another aspect, a method for controlling an imaging devicecomprising an optical zoom lens for performing zooming, an imaging unitfor converting an object image that has passed through the optical zoomlens into an electrical image signal, and an auto-focusing unit forautomatically bringing an object into focus, including an obtaining stepof obtaining a current zoom position, and a displaying step ofdisplaying a first bar for indicating the current zoom position and azoom area that is not suitable for auto-focus shooting at close range.

In yet still another aspect, a method for controlling an imaging devicecomprising an optical zoom lens for performing zooming, an imaging unitfor converting an object image that has passed through the optical zoomlens into an electrical image signal, and an auto-focusing unit forautomatically bringing an object into focus, includes an obtaining stepof obtaining a current zoom position, and a displaying step ofindicating that the current zoom position is in a zoom area that is notsuitable for auto-focus shooting at close range when the current zoomposition is in the zoom area.

In yet still another aspect, a method for controlling an imaging devicecomprising an optical zoom lens for performing zooming, an imaging unitfor converting an object image that has passed through the optical zoomlens into an electrical image signal, and an auto-focusing unit forautomatically bringing an object into focus, includes a first displayingstep of displaying a first bar for indicating the current zoom position,and a second displaying step of displaying a second bar in parallel withthe first bar, the second bar being shorter than the first bar.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts through the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the structure of an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a main routine in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of macro processing in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows recording areas of an imaging element in the embodimentduring macro mode and non-macro mode, respectively.

FIGS. 5A-C illustrate a zoom position range in which vignetting does noteasily occur in the embodiment.

FIGS. 6A-C show an example of a display of a zoom bar in the embodiment.

FIGS. 7A-B show another example of a display of a zoom bar in theembodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a controlling operation for carrying out theembodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a zoom bar.

FIG. 10 shows the steps of zoom bar drawing.

FIG. 11 shows states in which macro icons are displayed.

FIG. 12 illustrates a zoom bar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereunder, embodiments of the present invention will be described withreference to the relevant drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of one embodiment of the present invention.In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes an image processor.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a zoom lens, reference numeral 11 denotes afocusing lens, reference numeral 12 denotes a shutter for opening andclosing an aperture, reference numeral 14 denotes an imaging element forconverting an optical image into an electrical image signal, andreference numeral 16 denotes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter forconverting an analog signal output from the imaging element 14 into adigital signal.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a timing generation circuit for supplying aclock signal and a control signal to the A/D converter 16 and adigital-to-analog (D/A) converter 26. The timing generation circuit 18is controlled by a memory control circuit 22 and a system controlcircuit 50.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an image processing circuit for performinga predetermined pixel interpolating operation or a predetermined colorconverting operation on data from the A/D converter 16 or from thememory control circuit 22.

The image processing circuit 20 performs a predetermined calculatingoperation by using image data obtained by imaging so as to carry out apre-flashing (EF) operation, an automatic exposing (AE) operation, andan auto-focusing (AF) operation based on a through-the-lens (TTL)method, so that the system control circuit 50 controls exposurecontrolling section 40 and distance measurement controlling section 42on the basis of the obtained calculation result.

The image processing circuit 20 also performs the predeterminedcalculating operation by using the image data obtained by imaging inorder to perform an auto-white balancing (AWB) operation based on theTTL method on the basis of the obtained calculation result.

The memory control circuit 22 controls the A/D converter 16, the timinggeneration circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, an image displaymemory 24, the D/A converter 26, a memory 30, and acompressing/decompressing circuit 32.

The data from the A/D converter 16 is written to the image displaymemory 24 or to the memory 30 via the image processing circuit 20 andthe memory control circuit 22 or via the memory control circuit 22.

Reference numeral 28 denotes an image display unit including, forexample, TFT or LCD. Display image data written to the image displaymemory 24 is displayed on the image display unit 28 via the D/Aconverter 26.

Successively displaying image data obtained by imaging on the imagedisplay unit 28 makes it possible to realize an electronic finderfunction.

The image display unit 28 may be turned on and off any time by a commandfrom the system control circuit 50. When it is turned off, powerconsumption of the image processor 100 can be considerably reduced.

The memory 30 stores a static image or a dynamic image. The memory 30has enough storage capacity for storing a predetermined number of sheetsof static images and dynamic images of a predetermined amount of time.

Accordingly, even if panoramic shooting or successive shooting of aplurality of sheets of static images is carried out, it is possible towrite a large number of images to the memory 30 at a high speed.

The memory 30 can be used as a working area of the system controlcircuit 50.

The compressing/decompressing circuit 32 compresses or decompressesimage data by, for example, adaptive discrete cosine transformation(ADCT). It reads an image stored in the memory 30 and compresses ordecompresses the read image in order to write the data that has beenprocessed to the memory 30.

The exposure controlling section 40 controls the shutter 12 for openingand closing an aperture, and provides a flash controlling function byoperating with a flash 48.

The distance measurement controlling section 42 controls the focusing ofthe focusing lens 11. Reference numeral 44 denotes zoom controllingsection for controlling the zooming of the zoom lens 10, and referencenumeral 46 denotes barrier controlling section for controlling theoperation of a protecting unit 102 that is a barrier.

The flash 48 has an AF auxiliary light projecting function and a flashcontrolling function.

The exposure controlling section 40 and the distance measurementcontrolling section 42 are controlled by the TTL method. The systemcontrol circuit 50 controls the exposure controlling section 40 and thedistance measurement controlling section 42 on the basis of calculationresults obtained by performing calculation on image data obtained afterimaging by the image processing circuit 20.

The system control circuit 50 controls the entire image processor 100.Reference numeral 52 denotes a memory for storing, for example,programs, variables, and constants for operating the system controlcircuit 50.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a display unit of, for example, a speakeror a liquid crystal display device for displaying, for example, amessage or an operation state by using characters, images, sound, or thelike, in accordance with the execution of the program at the systemcontrol circuit 50. At least one display unit 54 is disposed near anoperating unit of the image processor 100 so that the at least onedisplay unit 54 can be easily seen, and includes a combination of, forexample, an LCD, an LED, and a sound-generating element.

Some of the operations of the display unit 54 are provided by an opticalfinder 104. For example, the LCD of the display unit 54 provides adisplay of single-shot/successive shooting, a self-timer display, adisplay of the compression ratio, a display of the number of recordingpixels, a display of the number of recording sheets, a display of theremaining number of sheets capable of being used for shooting, a displayof the shutter speed display, a display of the diaphragm stop, a displayof exposure correction, a flash display, a red-eye reduction display, amacro shooting display, a buzzer setting display, a display of a clockremaining battery power, a display of the remaining battery power, anerror display, a display of information by numbers in more than onedigit, a display of the mounting/removal state of recording media 200and 210, a communication I/F operation display, and a display of thedate and time.

The optical finder 104 provides, for example, an in-focus display, amotion blur warning display, a flash charging display, a display of theshutter speed, a display of the diaphragm stop, and an exposurecorrection display among the display contents provided by the displayunit 54.

Reference numeral 56 denotes a nonvolatile memory, such as an EEPROM,which allows data to be electrically erased and recorded.

Reference numerals 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 denote operating sectionsfor inputting various operation commands of the system control circuit50. The operating sections 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 are, for example,a switch, a dial, a touch panel, a pointer making use of sight-linedetection, and a sound recognizer, which are used singly or incombination.

The operating sections will be described in more detail.

The operating section 60 is a mode dial switch for switching betweenvarious functional modes, such as a power supply off mode, an automaticshooting mode, a shooting mode, a panoramic shooting mode, areproduction mode, a multi-screen reproduction/deletion mode, and a PCconnection mode.

The operating section 62 is a shutter switch SW1 that is switched onwhile a shutter button (not shown) is being operated in order to give acommand to start operations, such as an EF operation, an AWB operation,an AE operation, and an AF operation.

The operating section 64 is a shutter switch SW2 that is switched onwhen the operation of the shutter button (not shown) is completed inorder to given a command to start an exposing operation, a developingoperation, and a recording operation. In the exposing operation, asignal read from the imaging element 14 is used to write image data tothe memory 30 via the A/D converter 16 and the memory control circuit22. The developing operation is carried out by calculations at the imageprocessing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22. In therecording operation, the image data is read from the memory 30,compressed at the compressing/decompressing circuit 32, and written tothe recording medium 200 or 210.

The operating section 66 is an image display on/off switch for settingthe image display unit 28 on or off.

This function of the operating section 66 makes it possible to saveelectric power by intercepting the supply of electric current to theimage display unit 28 when carrying out shooting with the optical finder104.

The operating section 68 is a macro on/off switch for setting a close-upshooting mode on or off.

The operating section 70 is an operating unit including, for example,various buttons and a touch panel. Examples of the various buttons are amenu button, a set button, a multi-screen reproduction new-page button,a flash setting button, a single-shooting/successive-shooting/self-timerswitching button, a menu movement plus button, a menu movement minusbutton, a reproduction image movement plus button, a reproduction imageminus button, a shooting quality selection button, an exposurecorrection button, and a date/time setting button.

Reference numeral 80 denotes a power supply controlling unit including abattery detecting circuit, a DC-DC converter, and a switching circuitfor switching to a block to be energized. The power supply controllingunit 80 detects whether or not a battery is installed, the type ofbattery, and the remaining battery power in order to control the DC-DCconverter on the basis of the detection result and a command from thesystem control circuit 50, so that the necessary voltage is applied toeach part, including the recording media, for the required period oftime.

Reference numerals 82 and 84 denote connectors, and reference numeral 86denotes power supplying unit including, for example, an AC adapter and aprimary battery (such as an alkaline battery or a lithium battery) or asecondary battery (such as an NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, or a Libattery).

Reference numerals 90 and 94 denote interfaces for allowing connectionto the recording media, such as memory cards or hard discs. Referencenumerals 92 and 96 denote connectors for allowing connection to therecording media. Reference numeral 98 denotes recording mediummounting/removal detecting section for detecting whether or not therecording medium 200 and/or the recording medium 210 are/is mounted tothe connector 92 and/or the connector 96.

In the embodiment, the interfaces and connectors, which are mounted tothe recording media, are provided in pairs, but, obviously, do not haveto be provided in pairs. They may be provided singly or in numbersgreater than two. In addition, interfaces and connectors of differentspecifications may be used in combination.

Interfaces and connectors in conformity with specifications of, forexample, PCMCIA cards or compact flash (CF) cards may be used for theabove-described interfaces and connectors.

When the interfaces 90 and 94 and the connectors 92 and 96 are inconformity with the specifications of, for example, PCMCIA cards or CFcards, it is possible to transfer image data and control informationincluded with the image data between the image processor 100 andperipheral devices of, for example, another computer or printer byconnecting any one of various communication cards such as a LAN card, amodem card, a USB card, an IEEE1394 card, a P1284 card, a SCSI card, anda PHS communication card.

The protecting unit 102, which is a barrier, prevents an imaging unitincluding the lens 10 of the image processor 100 from becoming dirty ordamaged by covering the imaging unit.

Shooting can be carried out without using the electronic finder functionof the image display unit 28, that is, by only using the optical finder104. The optical finder 104 provides some of the functions of thedisplay unit 54, such as an in-focus display function, a motion blurwarning display function, a flash charging display function, a shutterspeed display function, a diaphragm stop display function, and anexposure correction display function.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a communicating unit having variouscommunication functions, such as RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, P1284, SCSI,modem, LAN, and radio communication.

Reference numeral 112 denotes a connector for connecting the imageprocessor 100 to another device by the communicating means 110.Reference numeral 112 denotes an antenna when radio communication iscarried out.

The recording medium 200 can be, for example, a memory card or a harddisc.

The recording medium 200 includes a recording unit 202, an interface 204for allowing connection to the image processor 100, and a connector 206for allowing connection to the image processor 100. The recording unit202 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disc.

The other recording medium 210 can be, for example, a memory card or ahard disc.

The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212, an interface 214for allowing connection to the image processor 100, and a connector 216for connection to the image processor 100. The recording unit 212includes, for example, a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disc.

The operation of the image processor 100 of the embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a main routine of the image processor 100 ofthe embodiment.

The operation of the image processor 100 will be described withreference to FIG. 2.

By power activation when, for example, a battery is replaced, the systemcontrol circuit 50 initializes, for example, a flag or a controlvariable in Step S101, and, then, sets the image display unit 28 in anoff state (initial state) in Step S102.

When the system control circuit 50 determines that the mode dial switch60 is set in an off position in Step S103, predetermined completionoperations are carried out in Step S105, and the process returns to StepS103. The predetermined completion operations include changing thedisplay state of each display unit to a completion state, protecting theimaging unit by closing the barrier (that is, the protecting unit 102),recording set values and parameters, including required flags andcontrol variables, and a setting mode in the nonvolatile memory 56, andintercepting unnecessary power supply to each part of the imageprocessor 100 including the image display unit 28 by the power supplycontrolling unit 80.

If the mode dial switch 60 is set in a shooting mode in Step S103, theprocess proceeds to Step S106.

If the mode dial switch 60 is set in any other mode in Step S103, thesystem control circuit 50 executes an operation in accordance with theselected mode in Step S104. When this operation is completed, theprocess returns to Step S103.

In Step S106, the system control circuit 50 determines whether or notthe remaining amount of power and operating state of the power supplyingunit 86 cause a problem in the operation of the image processor 100 bythe power supply controlling unit 80. If it determines that they docause a problem in Step S106, the display unit 54 provides apredetermined warning by using an image or sound in Step S108. Then, theprocess returns to Step S103.

If the system control circuit 50 determines that they do not cause anyproblem in Step S106, it determines whether or not the operation stateof the recording medium 200 or the recording medium 210 causes a problemin the operation of the image processor 100, in particular, in therecording/reproducing of data onto/from the recording medium in StepS107. If it determines that it does cause a problem, the display unit 54provides a predetermined warning by using an image or sound in StepS108. Then, the process returns to Step S103.

If the system control circuit 50 determines that the operation state ofthe recording medium 200 or the recording medium 210 does not cause aproblem in Step S107, the display unit 54 displays various settingstates of the image processor 100 by using an image or sound in StepS109. If the image display unit 28 is on, it displays the varioussetting states of the image processor 100 by an image or sound.

The system control circuit 50 turns on the display unit 28 in Step S110in order to set a through display state for successively displayingimage data obtained after imaging in Step S111. Then, the processproceeds to Step S112.

In the through display state, data successively written to the imagedisplay memory 24 via the imaging element 14, the A/D converter 16, theimage processing circuit 20, and the memory control circuit 22 issuccessively displayed on the image display unit 28 via the memorycontrol circuit 22 and the D/A converter 26 in order to carry out theelectronic finder function.

The system control circuit 50 determines whether or not the macro on/offswitch 68 is pressed in Step S112. If it is pressed, macro processing iscarried out in Step S113. Then, the process proceeds to Step S114.

The macro processing (Step S113) is described below in detail withreference to FIG. 3.

If the macro on/off switch 68 is not pressed, the process proceeds toStep S114. In Step S114, the state of the shutter switch SW isdetermined. If it is pressed, shooting/recording is carried out in StepS115. The details of the shooting/recording are widely known. Therefore,the shooting/recording will not be particularly described. If theshutter switch SW is not pressed, the process returns to Step S103.

The macro processing of Step S113 in FIG. 2 will be described withreference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

FIG. 4 shows recording areas of the imaging element during macro modeand non-macro mode, respectively. An image signal of an area that issmaller during the macro mode than during the non-macro mode isrecorded. When the closest object is brought into focus, light no longerenters the peripheral portion of the imaging element 14, causingvignetting to occur. Therefore, of portions of the image signal from theimaging element 14, only the portion of the image signal at the centralportion of the imaging element 14 where vignetting does not occur isrecorded. In addition, the electronic finder displays only the portionof the image within an area where vignetting does not occur. A functionof enlarging and displaying a portion of the image signal incorrespondence with a portion of the imaging element is widely known aselectronic zooming. A method for recording only a portion of the imagesignal at a portion of the imaging element is also well known along withthe electronic zooming. An area of the imaging element where vignettingdoes not occur is previously stored in the nonvolatile memory 56.

FIGS. 5A-C show the relationship between a zoom position range andvignetting. In FIGS. 5A-C, the amount of vignetting is large at awide-angle end (W) and a telephoto end (T). In the case where the zoomlens 10 is at a black dot position in FIG. 5B, when macro processing isto be carried out, the zoom lens 10 is moved to a black dot positionshown in FIG. 5C where the amount of vignetting is small. In accordancewith the characteristics of the lens, a range where the amount ofvignetting is small is previously stored in the nonvolatile memory 56.The system control circuit 50 moves the zoom lens 10 to a zoom positionthat is closest to the current zoom position in the range where theamount of vignetting is small.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating in detail the macro processing inStep S113 in FIG. 2.

In order to determine whether or not the image processor 100 iscurrently in the macro mode, the system control circuit 50 examines amacro flag state in Step S201. If the macro flag is off, the processproceeds to Step S202 in order to set the macro mode on. When the macroflag is set on in Step S202, an electronic zooming mode is set in StepS203. Setting the electronic zooming mode causes the image display unit28 to successively display only a portion of image data, obtained afterimaging, where vignetting does not occur.

Next, the system control circuit 50 obtains the current zoom position inStep S204, and determines whether or not the current zoom lens positionis in an area where the amount of vignetting is large in Step S205. Ifit is not in the area where the amount of vignetting is large, theprocessing ends. In contrast, if it is in the area where the amount ofvignetting is large, the zoom lens 10 is moved to a position that isclosest to the current zoom position in an area where the amount ofvignetting is small in Step S206. Then, the focusing lens 11 is movedtowards the close-by location in Step S207. The focusing lens 11 ismoved towards the close-by location in accordance with the lenscharacteristics, that is, for example, so that it focuses on the objectat about 5 cm.

In contrast, if the macro flag is on in Step S201, the system controlcircuit 50 cancels the macro mode. In Step S208, the macro flag is setoff. Then, in Step S209, the focusing lens 11 is returned to itsordinary position. When the focusing lens 11 is returned to its ordinaryposition, vignetting no longer occurs at the peripheral portion of theimaging element. Therefore, the electronic zooming mode is cancelled inStep S210.

Display of Zoom Position

FIGS. 6A-C show an example of a display of a zoom bar on the imagedisplay unit 28. The zoom bar is displayed to indicate the current zoomposition. FIG. 6A shows the display of the zoom bar. W denotes awide-angle end and T denotes a telephoto end. In FIG. 6A, the zoom lensis disposed near the telephoto end. In other words, when a zoom lever 67is operated (shown in FIG. 1), the system control circuit 50 drives thezoom lens 10 and displays the zoom bar as shown in FIG. 6A.

If the zoom bar is displayed as shown in FIG. 6B when the macro mode isoff, setting the macro mode on causes the zoom lens to move to alocation that is closest to the telephoto end in a range wherevignetting does not occur easily and the zoom bar to be displayed asshown in FIG. 6C. In other words, the width of the operational zoomposition range is changed (that is, increased in this case) by the zoomlever without changing a length X of the zoom bar. FIG. 6C shows thezoom bar with the length X, with a location that is closest to thewide-angle side in the area where vignetting does not easily occur beingthe telephoto side and a location that is closest to the telephoto sidein the area where vignetting does not easily occur being the wide-angleside. When the macro mode is set on in the state shown in FIG. 6B, thezoom lens is moved to the location that is closest to the telephoto sidein the area where vignetting does not easily occur, so that the zoom baris displayed with the length X, with this location being the telephotoend. Therefore, since the zoom bar is displayed with the length X inboth cases, this method of displaying the zoom lens position iseffective in allowing a user to easily confirm the current zoom lensposition in the zoom bar.

When the zoom lever 67 is operated when the macro mode is on, the systemcontrol circuit 50 allows the zoom lens 10 to be driven only in therange where vignetting does not easily occur.

FIGS. 7A-B show another example of a display of a zoom bar on the imagedisplay unit 28.

If the zoom bar shown in FIG. 7A is displayed when the macro mode isoff, setting on the macro mode causes a zoom bar shown in FIG. 7B to bedisplayed. In FIG. 7B, triangles mark boundaries of a range wherevignetting does not easily occur in the zoom bar. When the macro mode ison, the zoom lens moves only in the range where vignetting does noteasily occur. A range in which the zoom lens does not move (that is, arange where the amount of vignetting is large) when the macro mode is onis completely colored yellow in order to express that the zoom lens doesnot move, with a length X of the zoom bar being unchanged. The zoom barhas the same length X regardless of whether the macro mode is on or off.This is effective in allowing the user to easily confirm the currentzoom lens position regardless of whether the macro setting is on or off.

In the embodiment, although the range in which the zoom lens does notmove when the macro mode is on is completely colored yellow, it may becolored with any other recognizable color, such as blue, red, or green.The range may also have a stripe pattern.

ON/OFF of Image Display Unit 28

Although, in the embodiment, the image display unit 28 is described asalways being on, the image display unit 28 may be constructed so as tobe capable of being turned on or off by the image display on/off switch66. The image display unit 28 may be such as to cancel the macro modewhen it is turned off and to disallow the setting of the macro mode whenit is off. Since the electronic finder and the zoom bar are notdisplayed when the image display unit 28 is off, a user cannot knowwhether the macro mode is set. Therefore, when the image display unit 28is off, it is possible to prevent improper operation by not allowingmacro shooting.

Display of Zoom Position in Macro Mode

A related technology which considers the operability for a user whenthere is an optical zoom area in which AF shooting (macro AF) cannot becarried out at close range is provided. Such a technology is disclosedin, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-183782. In thistechnology, when a macro AF mode is selected, a lens unit is moved andplaced within a controllable zoom area range when an AF macro controlcannot be optically carried out in the zoom area. Even if it isimpossible to carry out the macro AF control, a user can select a statein which the zoom area is not changed in order to cause a display deviceto shine in accordance with a macro mode state, thereby preventingimproper operation.

However, it is difficult to inform the user of whether or not theoptical lens unit is within the zoom area in which the macro AF controlcannot be carried out.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a structure of a zoom bar displayed onthe display unit 54 in carrying out the embodiment. Reference numeral300 denotes the entire zoom bar including icons 301 to 305 forindicating that the left side of the zoom bar is a zooming wide-angleend and the right side of the zoom bar is a telephoto end. The icon 303is a bar portion indicating the entire zooming operation area. The icon302 is a bar portion indicating the current zoom position. When the zoomlens is at the wide-angle end, the icon 302 is colored completely inblack only at the left end of the icon 303. In contrast, when the zoomlens is at the telephoto end, the icon 302 becomes an area that iscolored completely in black in correspondence with substantially theentire zooming area 303. The icon 304 is a bar portion indicating a zoomposition area that is unsuitable for macro AF shooting. When the zoombar has this structure, the area 302 indicating the current zoomposition is moved in accordance with a zooming operation, and isdisplayed so as to overlap the bar portion 304 indicating the areaunsuitable for macro AF shooting. Therefore, the user can know that thecurrent zoom position is unsuitable for the macro shooting.

A controlling operation required to carry out the embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 illustrates an exchangingoperation between an operation/display controlling module forcontrolling the operation and display when zoom driving is carried outand a zoom driving controlling module for controlling the zoom driving.Here, the modules are included in the system control circuit 50 andimplemented with, for example, circuits or computer programs. When theoperation/display controlling module detects an operation of the zoomlever 70, a zoom drive start request is sent to the zoom drivecontrolling module in accordance with the direction of operation of thezoom lever in Step S2-1. Next, in Step S2-2, the zoom drive controllingmodule that has received the zoom drive start request starts the zoomdriving, and periodically notifies the display controlling module of achange in the zoom position. When the operation/display controllingmodule receives the notification, in Step S2-3, the operation/displaycontrolling module sends a zoom position obtaining request to the zoomdrive controlling module. Next, in Step S2-4, the operation/displaycontrolling module receives a zoom position notification from the zoomdrive controlling module in order to obtain the zoom position. Next, inStep S2-5, the operation/display controlling module draws the zoom bar300. Next, in Steps S2-6 and S2-7, the Steps S2-2 to S2-5 are repeated.

In Step S2-8, when the operation/display controlling module detects thatthe user has stopped operating the zoom lever, it sends a zoom drivestopping request to the zoom drive controlling module in order to endzoom lens movement. By repeating Step S2-2 to Step S2-5 (that is, StepsS2-6, S2-7, . . . ) until the zoom movement is ended from the start ofthe zooming, it is possible to update the drawing of the zoom bar 300.

The step of drawing the zoom bar (Step S2-5) will be described in detailwith reference to FIG. 10. In the drawing process, in Substep S4-1, theicons 301 and 305 for indicating the wide-angle end and the telephotoend of the zoom bar, respectively, are drawn. Then, in Substep S4-2, therectangle 303 indicating the entire zoom area is drawn. Next, in StepS4-3, the rectangle 302 indicating the current position is drawn. InStep S4-3, when the total number of zoom positions is X, the currentposition is XC, and the width of the rectangle indicating the entirezoom area is W, a width w of the rectangle to be drawn and an Xcoordinate where the drawing is started can be determined with respectto the entire zoom area by the following formulas.x=0w=W*(XC/X)

Next, in Step S4-4, the rectangle 304 indicating the area unsuitable formacro shooting in the entire zoom area is drawn. When the position andthe width of the rectangle 304 to be drawn are x⁻macro and w⁻macro,respectively, and the actual starting position and ending position ofthe area that is unsuitable for macro shooting are X0 and X1,respectively, the following formulas may be used to determine thestarting position and the drawing width of the rectangle 304.x ⁻macro=W*(X0/X)w ⁻macro=W*((X1−X0)/X)

Although the entire zoom bar is described as being drawn every time thezoom position changes, in order to increase the drawing speed, it ispossible to change only a portion of the zoom bar that needs to beupdated, that is, only the rectangle 302 indicating the current zoomposition.

Another embodiment may be realized as follows. When drawing an iconindicating the macro AF mode when the macro AF mode is set, the zoomdrive controlling unit obtains the current zoom position in order todetermine whether or not the current zoom position is in a previouslyobtained optical zoom area that is unsuitable for the macro AF mode. Inaccordance with the determination result, an icon 502 shown in FIG. 11is drawn when the current zoom position is in the area that isunsuitable for macro controlling, or an icon 501 shown in FIG. 11 isdrawn when the current zoom position is not in the area that isunsuitable for macro controlling.

The user can select and set either the macro AF mode or an ordinary AFmode by operating the operating unit 70. In the macro AF mode, macro AFshooting is successively performed on an object at close range, andautomatic focusing can be carried out at close range. In the ordinary AFmode, ordinary AF shooting is performed on an object that is furtheraway than a close range distance, and automatic focusing can be carriedout within a close distance range. In the macro AF mode, there is anoptical zoom area where focusing cannot be carried out because macro AFcontrolling cannot be carried out.

In the embodiment, the current optical zoom position is obtained and isdisplayed on the display unit. The optical zoom area where macro AFshooting cannot be carried out is obtained, and is displayed along withthe current zoom position. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, whenthe macro AF mode is set, the zoom area that is not suitable for macroAF shooting is displayed along with the current zoom position, and, whenthe ordinary AF mode is set, the zoom area that is not suitable formacro AF shooting is not displayed. The user can move the shooting lens(optical zoom lens) 10 by operating the operating unit 70.

When information indicating that the macro AF shooting mode is set isdisplayed, and when macro AF shooting cannot be carried out at thecurrent optical zoom position after obtaining information that the macroAF shooting cannot be carried out, the information indicating that themacro AF shooting cannot be carried out is added to the informationindicating that the macro AF shooting mode is set. More specifically, asshown in FIG. 11, in displaying the information indicating that themacro AF mode is set when the macro AF mode is set, informationindicating that the current zoom position is in the zoom area that isnot suitable for the macro AF shooting is added when the current zoomposition is in the zoom area.

The present invention is not limited thereto. When the macro AF mode isset, information regarding this may be displayed, and when the currentzoom lens position is not in the zoom area that is suitable for macro AFshooting, information regarding this may be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 12, reference numeral 300 denotes the entire zoom barwhich includes bar portions 301 to 305 displayed on the display unit 54as in FIG. 9. The bar portions 301 to 305 are similar to those shown inFIG. 9. Reference numeral 306 denotes a bar portion indicating a zoomposition area that is suitable for macro AF shooting. When the zoom barhas this structure, the area 302 indicating the current zoom position ismoved in accordance with a zooming operation, and is displayed so as tooverlap the bar portion 306 indicating the area that is suitable formacro AF shooting. Therefore, the user can know that the current zoomposition is suitable for the macro shooting.

According to the embodiment, when moving the optical zoom lens andsetting the macro AF mode, the user can know the current state and therelationship between the zoom lens and the macro AF mode, therebypreventing the user from improperly operating the image processor 100 orshooting an image that he/she does not intend to shoot. In addition,when there is an area that is unsuitable for macro shooting in theoptical zoom area, the user can operate the device without becomingconfused.

Other Embodiments

The embodiments may be realized when a computer executes a program.Means for supplying the program to the computer, such as a recordingmedium (for example, a CD-ROM) that records the program and that allowsit to be read by the computer and a transmitting medium (for example,the internet) for transmitting the program may be applied in anotherembodiment of the present invention. A computer program product of, forexample, the recording medium that records the program and that allowsit to be read by the computer may be provided in another embodiment ofthe present invention. The program, the recording medium, thetransmitting medium, and the computer program product are included inthe category of the present invention. Examples of the recording mediumare a flexible disc, a hard disc, an optical disc, a magneto-opticaldisc, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, and ROM.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, such descriptions are given for illustrativepurposes only in carrying out the present invention. Therefore, theexemplary embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the technicalscope of the present invention. In other words, the present inventionmay be carried out in various other forms without departing from thetechnical concepts and main features thereof.

1. An image processor comprising: a zoom lens configured to obtain anobject image by performing optical zooming, the zoom lens being movablewithin a first range; an imaging unit converting the object imageobtained via the zoom lens into an image signal; an electronic zoomingunit performing an electronic zooming operation on the image signal; anda controlling unit, in a case where the zoom lens is outside a secondrange narrower than the first range, moving the zoom lens so as to be inthe second range and controlling the electronic zooming unit to performthe electronic zooming operation.
 2. A method for processing an image,comprising the following steps: an optical zooming step of moving a zoomlens in a first range in order to obtain an object image; an imagingstep of converting the object image obtained in the optical zooming stepinto an image signal; and a controlling step of performing an electroniczooming operation on the image signal by moving the zoom lens into asecond range narrower than the first range in a case where the zoom lensis outside the second range.
 3. An imaging device provided with a firstmode in which lens driving is capable of being carried out in a firstrange and a second mode in which the lens driving is capable of beingcarried out in a second range that is narrower than the first range, theimaging device comprising: a zoom lens; an imaging unit converting anobject image obtained via the zoom lens into an image signal; anelectronic zooming unit performing an electronic zooming operation onthe image signal; a first displaying unit displaying an image subjectedto the electronic zooming operation by the electronic zooming unit; anda controlling unit, in a case where the zoom lens is outside the secondrange and the second mode is set, controlling the zoom lens to move intothe second range, and controlling the electronic zooming unit to enlargean image in order to display the enlarged image on the first displayingunit.
 4. An imaging method provided with a first mode in which lensdriving is capable of being carried out in a first range and a secondmode in which the lens driving is capable of being carried out in asecond range that is narrower than the first range, the methodcomprising the following steps: an obtaining step of obtaining an objectimage with a zoom lens; an imaging step of converting the object imageobtained in the obtaining step into an image signal; an electroniczooming step of performing electronic zooming on the image signal; afirst displaying step of displaying an image that has been subjected toelectronic zooming in the electronic zooming step; and a controllingstep of performing, in a case where the zoom lens is outside the secondrange and the second mode is set, a controlling operation so that thezoom lens is moved into the second range and an image is enlarged by theelectronic zooming in the electronic zooming step in order to displaythe enlarged image in the first displaying step.
 5. An imaging devicecomprising: an optical zoom lens receiving an object image passingtherethrough; an imaging unit converting the object image that haspassed through the optical zoom lens into an electrical image signal; anauto-focusing unit automatically bringing an object into focus; and adisplaying unit displaying a first bar indicating a current zoomposition and a zoom area that is not suitable for auto-focusing at closerange.
 6. The imaging device according to claim 5, further comprising asetting unit setting a first mode to perform auto-focusing at closerange, wherein the displaying unit displays the current zoom positionand the zoom area responsive to the setting unit setting the first mode.7. An imaging device comprising: an optical zoom lens receiving anobject image passing therethrough; an imaging unit converting the objectimage that has passed through the optical zoom lens into an electricalimage signal; an auto-focusing unit automatically bringing an objectinto focus; and a displaying unit indicating that a current zoomposition is in a zoom area that is not suitable for auto-focusing atclose range when the current zoom position is in the zoom area.
 8. Amethod for controlling an imaging device having an optical zoom lens forperforming zooming, an imaging unit for converting an object image thathas passed through the optical zoom lens into an electrical imagesignal, and an auto-focusing unit for automatically bringing an objectinto focus, the method comprising the following steps: an obtaining stepof obtaining a current zoom position; and a displaying step ofdisplaying a first bar indicating the current zoom position and a zoomarea that is not suitable for auto-focus shooting at close range.
 9. Amethod for controlling an imaging device comprising an optical zoom lensreceiving an object image passing therethrough, an imaging unitconverting the object image that has passed through the optical zoomlens into an electrical image signal, an auto-focusing unitautomatically bringing an object into focus, and a displaying unitindicating that a current zoom position is in a zoom area that is notsuitable for auto-focusing at close range when the current zoom positionis in the zoom area, the method comprising: an obtaining step ofobtaining the current zoom position; and a displaying step of indicatingthat the current zoom position is in the zoom area that is not suitablefor auto-focus shooting at close range when the current zoom position isin the zoom area.